Bahrain MPs sound alarm on development deficits in Northern Governorate, demand action

TDT | Manama                                                         

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Mahir Haneef

In a passionate parliamentary session Tuesday, the spotlight shone brightly on the Northern Governorate, with MPs painting a stark picture of long-unaddressed challenges and demanding concrete action from the government.

From healthcare woes to educational gaps and neglected infrastructure, the grievances echoed through the chamber, urging a new chapter for the region. MP Jalal Kadhem Hasan’s voice resonated, urging immediate attention to a 28-year saga of unmet needs.

His words, laced with personal experiences, echoed the cries of the community for the basic services promised in the National Action Charter. Healthcare, housing, and infrastructure development all stood as glaring omissions, demanding rectification.

Lack of vision

Abdulnabi Salman Ahmed joined the chorus, lamenting the lack of vision and concrete plans for the region since 2002. The gap between promises and reality, he stressed, needed to be bridged with structured approaches and five-year plans encompassing vital services and infrastructure upgrades.

The plight of densely populated areas near Budaiya Street took centre stage with MP Mahdi Abdulaziz Al Showaikh’s impassioned plea. The absence of a secondary school for boys, forcing young graduates to navigate congested zones for education, painted a poignant picture of neglect, the MP pointed out.

However, amidst the concerns, a glimmer of hope emerged with the Education Minister’s ambitious plans for the region. Budaiya Primary and Preparatory Girls School’s ongoing maintenance, with boys’ section expansion on the horizon, offered a ray of light.

Al-Sahla schools’ maintenance and a new secondary school for boys in Diraz promised to cater to the educational needs of the growing community. The minister’s vision, spanning from 2020 to 2030, encompassed 18 schools with 24 buildings, underpinned by a sustainable maintenance strategy.

Yet, the need for immediate action resonated through the addresses of MPs Maryam Hasan Al Saegh, Abdulhakeem Mohamed Al Shanoo, and Muneer Ebrahim Seroor. Overcrowded schools, healthcare challenges, sanitation woes, and historical preservation concerns were laid bare, demanding swift improvements and transparent government engagement.

Health Minister’s Response

The Health Minister responded with updates on progress, highlighting the establishment of health centres and the expansion of the Kuwait Health Centre. A focus on maternal and child health underlined the government’s commitment to a holistic approach.

Infrastructure upgrades also took centre stage, with the Works Minister detailing ongoing projects in the region. Road development statistics and sanitation initiatives painted a picture of progress, reassuring the Parliament of the government’s dedication to improvement.

As the session concluded, MPs Hasan Ebrahim Hasan, Waleed Jaber Al Doseri, and Hanan Mohamed Fardan delivered a final, fervent plea. Sanitation, housing, and infrastructure projects, they insisted, needed immediate attention. Prioritizing the Northern Governorate and ensuring the well-being of its residents was the clarion call that echoed through the chamber.

Tuesday’s parliamentary session served as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the residents of the Northern Governorate. It was a call to action, demanding comprehensive planning, swift execution, and transparent collaboration between the government and the people. Only then can the shadows of neglect be lifted and a new dawn of equitable development illuminate the North.